eRUPPtion Recap

Last Friday, Rupp Arena played host to a mixed martial arts cage fighting event where local and national competitors sparred off against each other in a kick-boxing/wrestling type format. Mixed martial arts is a combination of various kick-boxing techniques as well as wrestling. It is definitely a violent and intense sport, but it much more than just thrown punches and swung legs. Lots of training is required to become proficient at the sport, as well as a large amount of physical endurance. Boxing is quite possibly the most physically exhausting sports. Combine that with wrestling and trying to pin someone to the floor, and you can quickly figure out why all the competitors were toned and muscular.

With cage fighting, people automatically think of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. There is a certain barbaric association to that arena. It also may not help that the fighters themselves sometimes act barbaric and often don multicolored hair with Mohawks. All preconceived notions are cast aside though, when you see the professionalism of the fighters during their match, as well as the amazing sportsmanship after it is all over. You have to have an incredible amount of respect for someone who could match wits and fists with you for nearly 15 minutes.

There will be lots of shots from one of our house photographers, James Crisp, as well as a bunch of photos I took “from the stands” that should be available in the next few days. Until then, here is a taste of the photos to come. If you were able to make it, we would love to know what you thought as well as see any photos you took. If you weren’t able to attend then take a look at the photos, and perhaps you will consider coming next year.